To wish we could block posters on MN

[SailorSerena]

There are a handful of posters who pop up fairly regularly and honestly I've never agreed with a single word they have written, they have some very offensive views and pretty much every time I read one of their posts it infuriates me.

I'll be enjoying a thread then these posters will pop up, I'll see their usernames and I'll instantly think god that's this thread ruined then and leave. It happens enough to make using Mumsnet become far less appealing.

Wouldn't it be great if we could block posters and just carry on enjoying threads with their contributions blacked out like you can on Facebook comment threads?

You might as well go to BlueSky if you want everyone agreeing with you. Do it now though as before long it’s gonna be as much as a cesspit as Twitter 1.0 became prior to Elon buying it.

This, if you want an echo chamber go elsewhere!!

Does anyone else hope that they might be on the OP’s mystery hit list? 😆

The thing is though people can surprise you. I have clocked posts from certain posters before and inwardly rolled my eyes when I see their username because I think I know what they are going to say on certain topics... but bizarrely find myself agreeing with them on others.

People are unpredictable and you can't always put them in neat boxes.

Yes same! I’ve had heated arguments with certain posters but then have liked their post on a different thread. It pains me but credit where it’s due 😆

I never remember or take notice of user names from other posts because I think it is creepy and stalking behaviour to do so.

If I find someone offensive I may give them my opinion on that post but I don’t hound them from post to post.

How do you cope in real life OP? Do you have to walk out of a room if someone says something you disagree with?

Leaving a thread because a stranger happens to have a different opinion to you is very odd behaviour.

@Happypeoplearehappy

I never remember or take notice of user names from other posts because I think it is creepy and stalking behaviour to do so.

I don't think its "creepy and stalking" to notice that certain posters have certain perspectives! It's a community. There are plenty of regular posters on here and if you're on here a lot (as I am) you do start to identify certain usernames and sometimes you notice that they have strong opinions on certain topics.

There are certain posters on here who I have come to really respect because I know they will have an interesting or thoughtful take on a situation, others who I fairly reliably will disagree with.

I wouldn't follow people around Mumsnet or search by username, and I would never comment on one thread on someone's views on an unrelated one, which I do think is bad manners. But it's just observation to start to gather things about people. Nothing wrong with that.

It is interesting when you encounter posters with completely different ways of looking at things. If I'm confident in what I'm saying but also on the receiving end of unfair attack then I have no problem continuing to defend my position- but that of course can be annoying for others on the thread constantly seeing the back and forth between posters 🤣 sorry!

Oh yes, I wish there was that function. There are some usernames that I'd love to block. Just either purposefully nasty or goady or have opinions so far from mine I'd rather not see then.

Yes, I know it's good to see other opinions, but I don't have the time or energy to engage, so I'd rather just not see it. Thankfully, I think it's only been about 3 users who've irritated me that much (or perhaps the same person with a name change! 🤣)

Nah , if people are disrespectful/abusive you can report to MN. If people don't share your views but do it in a respectful manner it can be enlightening. I was called out for internalised misogyny once and even if I didn't like it it made me think and come to the conclusion that the poster had a point. So different viewpoints can help you grow if you're willing to challenge yourself and be honest instead of being defensive.

I do think MN is fairly unique in social media these days in that you cannot easily curate it into an echo chamber of people who only say things you want to hear. Other sites you see who you have chosen to follow, algorithms present you with more of the same and, as the OP wants, you can block anyone so that their dissenting opinions don't offend your eyes.

It's leading to a society where people really can't cope with being disagreed with and think that an alternative opinion is offensive rather than something they might want to consider.

I can make a few guesses!

Absolutely!

The back & forth is really annoying sometimes! It’s easy enough to just skip those posts though.

I've noticed a couple today who seem to set out to antagonise no matter what thread they're on - not enough to prove themselves as the T word and get reported, but they seem to delight in riling others. I'd be happy to have the opportunity to block them.

Exactly. Life doesn’t work like that, you can’t metaphorically slam doors in people’s faces every time they blurt something offensive to you. It’s easier to ignore and move on.
Unless it’s harmful of course which is why we have the report function.

I wish the reactions were visible to everyone. Not even naming the posters, just the number of 'agrees' and 'thanks' etc.

We really need a That's Bollox I disagree option.
And I have severe brain fog so I don't remember the names of posters who have offended me in previous posts - so impossible for me to hold a grudge.

Yes that would be handy!

Some posters (myself included) are rather direct. I tend not to use phrases such as 'gently, op..' because sometimes being wishy-washy doesn't help.
Also, I am from a practical, no-nonsense, ignore tantrum background, so can be a bit 'just get on with it'. Having said that, often the level of neediness is off the scale in some posts.
Perhaps it's a question of interpretation, but acknowledging there are some that are just 'blockable!'

@Fangisnotacoward

Oh yes, I wish there was that function. There are some usernames that I'd love to block. Just either purposefully nasty or goady or have opinions so far from mine I'd rather not see then

There’s a big difference between people being goady and nasty and people having different opinions from you though.

I can understand your feelings if someone seems to be getting a rise out of you but why would you want to avoid everyone with a different opinion from you?

Surely a healthy society depends on being exposed to and having to consider the opinions of people who are different from you?

I see some usernames in particular topics and I know they're going to say things I completely and utterly disagree with. My options (at present) are - roll my eyes and scroll past, consider their point and then present my own argument for why I disagree with them, or shrug and leave the thread. Thus far I haven't felt the need for an additional "lalala not listening don't make me see anything that I don't agree with because my feelings will be hurt" option 🤷🏻‍♀️ We already have the option to report specific posts if needed.

Furthermore, sometimes I see those usernames on some other topic and find that we are in total agreement on that topic. And the converse is the case as well. Because, astonishingly, people are complex and are not cartoon goodies/baddies.

I think it is part of being a mature human being in a functioning society to not expect a hive-mind of controlled speech and thought, curated to your personal desires.

Same here remembering most of the names, there are just so many, and can't people change them if they want to?
I stick to the same name, I don't see the point in swapping and changing.

Yes. There are posters, especially on AIBU, that seem to be awful argumentative creatures...spoiling for a fight all the time.